Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 123

Our Lord Jesus has taught us to look to God in prayer as our Father in heaven. In every prayer a good man lifts up his soul to God, especially when in trouble. We desire mercy from him; we hope he will show us mercy, and we will continue waiting on him until it comes. The eyes of a servant look to his master's directing hand, expecting that he will appoint him his work.

They look also to his supplying hand. Servants look to their master or mistress for their portion of meat in due season. And to God we must look for daily bread, for sufficient grace; from him we must receive it thankfully. Where can we look for help but to our Master? And further, they look to his protecting hand.

If the servant is wronged and injured in his work, who should right him but his master? They also look to his correcting hand. Where should sinners turn but to him who struck them? They humble themselves under God's mighty hand. And lastly, they look to his rewarding hand.

Hypocrites look to the world's hand, and from there they have their reward; but true Christians look to God as their Master and their Rewarder. God's people find little mercy with men; but this is their comfort, that with the Lord there is mercy. Scorning and contempt have been, are, and are likely to be, the lot of God's people in this world. It is hard to bear; but the servants of God should not complain if they are treated as his beloved Son was.

Let us then, when ready to faint under trials, look to Jesus, and by faith and prayer cast ourselves upon the mercy of God.